Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
SÛRAH LXVIII
Al-Qalam, “The Pen,” takes its name from a word in the first verse.
A very early Meccan Sûrah.
The Pen
1. Nûn.1 By the pen and that which they write (therewith),
2. Thou art not, for thy Lord’s favour unto thee, a madman.
3. And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing,
4. And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.
5. And thou wilt see and they will see
6. Which of you is the demented.
7. Lo! thy Lord is best aware of him who strayeth from his way, and He is best aware of those who walk aright.
8. Therefor obey not thou the rejecters
9. Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise.
10. Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger, n. Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders,
12. Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor
13. Greedy therewithal, intrusive.
14. It is because he is possessed of wealth and children
1 See Sûr. II, v. I, footnote.
